Scranton – ALL I NEED IS MY PASSPORT

History and Architecture of Scranton, PA

Scranton

Oct 192015

October 2015

Baptist minister, David Spencer, proclaimed Scranton the “Electric City

Scranton Pennsylvania is the county seat of Lackawanna and the 6th largest city in Pennsylvania. Incorporated in 1866, it saw its hey-dey in the Anthracite Coal boom. At that time the population was about 102,000, today it is about 76,000.

Electric lighting was introduced to Scranton through the Dickson Locomotive Works in 1880 and later it had the countries first successful, continuously operating, all electric street cars, giving it the nick name “The Electric City”.

The name of the town comes from New Jersey brothers Selden T. and George W. Scranton They were responsible for the Lackawanna and Western Railroad. Ironically, there is no passenger railway transportation in Scranton anymore, although the Canadian Pacific Railroad does run freight through Scranton.

The Home of Joseph Hand Scranton, now the Admissions Office for Scranton University

Some of the revival of Scranton is through the five institutes of higher learning located in the city. They include: The University of Scranton, The Commonwealth Medical College, Johnson College, Lackawanna College and Marywood University.

The Second Empire Style house, built in 1872, was designed by New York architect Russell Sturgis, for Joseph A. Scranton, George W. Scranton’s second cousin. It is believed construction costs were $150,000. It was also called the Stone House. The stone mason was William Sykes.

The wood carvings in the home are by William F. Paris

The home is three stories tall, 19,925 square feet and originally had 25 rooms. It also originally had a tower, which has since been removed.

Dining Room of the home

In December 1941, Worthington Scranton, Joseph’s son, donated the home and property to Bishop William J. Hafey for use by the University of Scranton. The building has housed the Admissions office since 2009.

The skylight is by Tiffany

The solid mahogany stair case and Minton Tile floor

More of the Dining Room Ceiling

Lackawanna Station – Scranton, PA

Scranton

Oct 192015

October 2015

This is now the Radisson Hotel, however, it originally was the Lackawanna Train Station a vital piece in the development of Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Scranton began as an iron mill town, these mills began manufacturing iron rails for the trains, which till then, had been imported from England. This manufacturing made the organization of railroads in this area possible. Later when Anthracite was discovered the railway system expanded across the country to distribute this new found fuel source.

New York architect Kenneth Murchison was chosen for this project and ground was broken in September of 1906. The building was originally 5 stories tall, a sixth floor was added in 1923.

The station was 240 feet long by 88 feet wide and was built at a cost just slightly over $600,000. This French Renaissance style station has six statement columns on the front, and is faced with Indiana limestone and a 8 foot high bronze clock. The overhang is twenty feet and gives the station presence.

The track side, which now serves as a meeting room and the bar, has steel trusses with a concrete roof and, at one time, glass skylights.

The former waiting room, which is now the dining area, was 2 1/2 stories tall, capped with a barrel vaulted Tiffany leaded glass ceiling and clad in Formosa Italian marble.

Christopher Street Ferry dock, New York City

Delaware Water Gap and East of the Delaware Water Gap

There are 36 panels surrounding this area. They are faience panels showing various scenes along the route from Hoboken, New Jersey and Buffalo, New York. These tiles were modeled after paintings by Clark G. Voorhees.

The first floor once has a lunch room, newsstand, telegraph office, ticket office, mail room and baggage room. The station also had offices for the railroads, auditing, engineering, legal, real estate, bridges and buildings departments.

The station was officially dedicated on November 11, 1908.

In the early 1980s Scranton found itself struggling with a 13% unemployment rate and was looking hard to work their town into a tourist destination spot. The train station became the focus of this concept. Originally the building was purchased by a group of private investors put together by the Chamber of Commerce. The building renovation was overseen by Balog, Steines, Hendricks and Manchester Architects and opened New Years Eve 1983. In 1993 the hotel was purchased by DanMar Hotel chain for $4million and turned into a Radisson.

Masonic Hall – Scranton, PA

Scranton

Oct 192015

October 2015

The Masonic Hall in Scranton Pennsylvania is so massive, this postcard is the only way to show it in its entirety.

The building is loaded with Masonic iconography, including this dragon unfurling its wings over the entryway. The reference is to the Draconis star system which equals light, light being the symbol of education and the purpose of Freemasonry.

The building, designed by Raymond Hood includes both the Masonic Temple and Scottish Rite Cathedral. Today it is also home to the Scranton Cultural Center.

This architectural masterpiece is a combination of Gothic Revival, Romanesque Revival, Richardsonian Romanesque and contemporary Art Deco styles. The building, completed in 1930, was designed with a dual nature; it was built to house the more private Scottish Rite Cathedral and Masonic lodge while housing a theater and ballroom for public use.

There are three entries to the building, and in the lobby there are two large sliding doors. The lobby is usually one very long hall, however, the sliding doors can be closed to allow the three entries to be closed off from each other and therefore private. The public entry to the theater or ballroom was through the center, and entry by members of the private areas through the doors on the right and the left.
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Symbols of Masonry can be found throughout the Masonic Temple and Scottish Rite Cathedral. The two-headed eagle, along with other symbols of various branches as well as the four cardinal virtues are engraved on the exterior of the building.

A Dragon on the most forward point of the front door ornamentation

This ceiling is in the foyer of the entry to the public space

This ceiling is in the foyer of the entry of the public space.

The ceiling of the ballroom with its Art Deco lighting

Stencils found on the walls of the ballroom

The ballroom getting ready for a wedding

The unique feature of this building is that the black screen that you see is also the backdrop for the theater, so it is possible to have both sides open and have a double facing stage.

Looking toward the stage of the theater from the back of the room.

The ornamentation around the stage

The patterned ceiling of the theater

The ceiling where the Masons hold their ceremonies. Notice the two headed eagles. Frederick of Prussia introduced the symbol of the two headed eagle when the Scottish Rite was in its formative stages.

A window in the stairwell shows you the depth of the walls.

One of many meeting rooms that is still in need of restoration.

A patterned wall in one of the meeting rooms

A patterned ceiling in one of the meeting rooms.

The elevator doors

The building is 180,000 square feet and is technically 10 stories, although only 5 are accessible to the public. There are 4 below ground and the turret that are not accessible.

There was originally an 8 lane bowling alley in one of the basement levels, it had a pin operated system that was not restorable, and the need for a bowling lane wasn’t really there, so it was removed.

The flowerettes in the center of these ceiling rosettes begin wide open on the top floor and gradually close to the somewhat pinecone shape you see in the first floor lobby.

The people of Scranton and the Masonic members have worked hard to keep this building standing and a center piece of the community. The State of Pennsylvania holds the deed, and the building is on the Historic Register, these two items will keep it from being torn down and turned into a parking lot. The temple association has a lease back agreement and there are a lot of paying functions held in the building, such as weddings and theater events, and yet, it runs a $250,000/year deficit.

Despite a $1.5 million restoration on the 2000 standing/900 seated capacity theater/ballroom, the building needs another $14million to bring it back.

For more information, as well as how to donate, check out their website.

Walking Scranton Pennsylvania

Scranton

Oct 192015

October 2015

This is the Lackawanna County Courthouse at 200 Washington Avenue. It was designed by Isaac G Perry in the Romanesque Revival Style and built in 1884. It utilizes a local West Mountain stone The third story was added in 1896 by architect B. Taylor Lacey. The interior has been so radically modified as to not warrant mention.

The John Mitchell Monument

There is a considerable amount of art around the courthouse, I would like to mention two that stand out. This is the John Mitchell Monument by Peter Sheridan. John Mitchell was the leader of the United Mine Workers. Its placement is fitting due to the fact that in May 1902, 150,000 mineworkers struck for six months against bad labor situations. The Anthracite Coal Strike Commission was set up by President Theodore Roosevelt and they held the hearings in the courthouse behind this statue. The result was a few demands granted and the introduction of federal intervention in labor disputes.

This stunning sculptural piece is three sided. It was dedicated in 1977 as a memorial to all men and women who served in the wars from Lackawanna County.

This church was built in 1892 and designed by George W. Cramer. What makes it unique is its Akron Plan. The Akron Plan for church buildings was made popular by architectural pattern books in the late 19th and early 20th century. The plan is typified by an auditorium worship space surrounded by connecting Sunday school classroom spaces, usually on one or two levels. The plan was first used in 1872 at the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Akron, Ohio

The Sunday School Area, each arch represents a different classroom, there are often curtains hung from the bars that cut across the bottom of the arches.

The altar area, as taken from the Sunday School area.

There is a small chapel on the first floor of the Methodist Church with these fascinating little touches.

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St Peters Cathedral Complex

Originally built as the Church of St. Vincent de Paul and designed by engineer Joel Amsden in 1865, it was remodeled in the classic Beaux Arts Style in 1884 by Lewis Hancock.

A replication of Rafael’s Transfiguration graces the altar area.

Scranton Municipal Building (1888) (340 N. Washington Ave. at Mulberry St.). Scranton, PA. Style: Victorian Gothic. Architect: Edward L. Walter. On National Register.

Scranton Municipal Building built in 1888 at 340 N. Washington Avenue by Edward L. Walter.

Then there is the most recognizable building in Scranton after dark, the Scranton Electric Building. Built in 1896 by architect Lansing Holden, the Beaux Arts building originally held the Scranton Board of trade, it was sold to the Electric Company in 1926 who erected the sign that can be seen from miles away at night.

Scranton is an ultimately very walkable town, with wonderful historic buildings where ever you go. Pick up the History Set in Stone Walking Guide and enjoy.